Horse Handling; Marston, you're doing it wrong

Washing by the Water (part 2)

The sun beamed through the trees, casting lights and shadows across the trail they were trotting through. Arthur typically moved in a natural rhythm with Bo, but now it felt different with Marston behind him. He had to worry about John falling off, which was annoying, of course, but he agreed to let the kid ride with him, and he much preferred the thought of John saying Arthur let him get hurt falling off of a horse, over John babbling about how Arthur was loving on Bo.

"So, where are we going?" John asked, tightening his grip around Arthurs waist. Arthur sighed, "Kid, I already told'ja, we're goin' down by the lake--" Arthur grunted when John smacked his arm, although it was more due to his temper then anything else, "I got that Arthur, I mean, where by the lake? Why the hell would I forget where we're going if it was why I was goin' in the first place?" Arthur only grumbled in response. A loud, "Hmf." Could be heard, which pleased Arthur.

The cool morning air began to take a slow shift towards a hotter temperature. In a smooth motion, Arthur tipped as hat forward to block more of the sun, which was now at eye-level with him. "When will we be there?" Arthur let out a loud, very audible sigh, "Soon." He muttered. John mumbled a swear or two under his breath, "Maybe it wouldn't take so long if 'ya weren't so fuckin' slow." And in an instant, Arthur pulled the reigns back on his horse. Arthur looked over his shoulder as best as he could, "What's with you? I want to take a nice stroll out to the lake on my horse, then you somehow manage to tag along. And then 'ya make it my problem that you're impatient." John crossed his arms, "Why's it an issue that maybe I wanted to spend some time with you?"

Arthur paused, but before he could make any snappy reply, John continued, "You're always just out, without a single damn word, while I'm stuck with Hosea 'n Dutch, who're always trying to make me learn, 'practical things', which I know is just to keep me from gettin' into trouble-- which is stupid, because they're professionals at getting into trouble. I just wanted a breather." John stared at the ground dejectedly, wrapping his arms around himself. "And, rather then go out on my own, I wanted to go where you were going..." John trailed off, bitterness seeping into every quiet word.

Arthur scratched his chin, and without a word, motioned Bo forward.

They were quiet the rest of the ride, which was about 10 minutes. They exited the thicker part of the woods and followed along the edge of the river. "How close are we now?" A grumpy voice prodded behind him. Arthur pointed a finger ahead, "You can see it from here, that small sandy area." John nodded, although Arthur couldn't see it, and Arthur directed Bo to go a little faster. "Hold on now, Marston." Arthur beckoned, as Bo took a slight downward turn, stepping over a ridge between the grass, some rocks, and the sand. Bo let out a snort as his hooves dug into the sand, "Yeah, good boah." Arthur praised, patting the horses neck. "Let's wash 'ya down now." Arthur slid off the horse, then offered John a hand which was, unsurprisingly, un-accepted. "I'm fine." John grumbled, hopping down. Once John was off, Arthur began digging through the saddlebag.

"How come 'ya talk to your horse so much."

After finding the item, Arthur turned back to John, "Pardon? Oh, here," Arthur tossed the sponge to John, which the younger man caught. "What's this for?" John asked, "Don't you just use the brush?" John pointed at the brush Arthur has just pulled out. Arthur nodded slowly, "Yes, 'ya use the brush, but that's for brushing your horse down, not washing." John nodded slowly, "Okay.".

A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and Bo lifted his head to catch the cool wind. However, it was less enjoyed by Arthur, who had to hold onto his hat. "How come you're having me help you, though, I just wanted to get out--" Arthur waved a dismissive hand, "Because 'ya need 'ta learn these things if you want Dutch and Hosea to get'chu a horse of your own." John looked down at the sponge in his hand, "Besides, you wanted to come along 'n do this, didn't 'ya?" John looked up at Arthur, "I guess."

Arthur wasn't sure how to deal with this. He didn't know how to apologize to John for snapping, or how to say he was sorry without actually saying it. He had been hoping to ignore it, but John wasn't making that easy. He supposed he'd continue with what he was doing, and ease the tension by washing Bo with the kid. "Come on, Boah." Arthur encouraged, grabbing Bo's reigns and leading him closer to the waters. He stopped when a gentle wave washed over his boot.

With a wave of his hand, Arthur motioned John to come over. "Now, get the sponge wet, and start working your way down from his neck." He watched as John leaned forward nervously, dipping the sponge into the water and squeezing it. As it was pulled out, water dripped down. He moved aside and gave John space to press the sponge onto Bo's neck. John slowly slid the sponge down, water trickling down the horses body, then brought it back up again and repeated the action. "Good, now, dunk the sponge in the water again and start a little bit lower--" "Can you do it?" John asked quickly. 

"...Why?"

"I can't swim, and I'm not happy being so close to the water." Arthur frowned, before laughing. He hit the younger mans shoulder, "Ah, you'll be fine, John, you just did it once, you can do it again. Besides, we ain't even in the water." As quick as he could, John dipped the sponge in, like someone who quickly tossed a scrap of meat to a dog to avoid being snapped at. Only, it's not like the water would eat him up, so Arthur didn't understand the fear.  Bo nickered in response to the sponge being run down his shoulders, leaning into the sponge as best he could.

The worry John felt washed away as fast as the water did the third time around. As John began wiping Bo down further along his body with the sponge, Arthur took the brush he was holding and began running it along Bo's neck as it was drying. "Hey there, Boah." The affection in Arthurs tone was earnest. "You still haven't explained you talking to your horse." Arthur glanced over to John, who was scrubbing at a spot on Bo's side. Arthur shrugged, "No different then me talking to you. Same thing, really, talking to an animal either way." Arthur laughed as John threw the sponge at him, which left a large wet spot on his shirt. Arthur grinned wickedly at John, but underneath it was the relief that the tension was gone, as John was looking back at him, with an expression that was trying not to crack. But, John did, and he gave a small smile.

"Thank you." John conceded.

"For what?" Arthur scratched Bo's chin as he asked, which Bo seemed pleased by.

"For-- you know, taking me out. I appreciate it." It was earnest, which surprised Arthur. Arthur nodded towards John, before going back to brushing Bo down where he was beginning to dry.

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Woop part 2 done. I'm shore there's some spelling or grammar issues in thar, but I'm okay with that lol       also ye there's gonna be more parts, probably not a lot tho